Best medium format film cameras

Mamiya 7

Rangefinder · 120 (6×7) · 1995– · $$$

A medium-format rangefinder you can actually carry, with some of the sharpest lenses ever made.

Medium format · 120 (6×6) · 1970–1994 · $$$

The modular 6×6 system that went to the moon; Zeiss lenses and swappable backs.

Medium format · 120 (6×7) · 1969– · $$$

Handles like a giant 35mm SLR — legendary for portraits and landscape.

Medium format · 120 (6×7) · 1970– · $$

Revolving backs and bellows focusing; image quality per dollar is absurd.

Medium format · 120 (6×6) · 1980– · $$

The affordable entry to 6×6 modular systems, with leaf-shutter flash sync at any speed.

Twin-lens reflex · 120 (6×6) · 1970–1986 · $$

The approachable 6×6 TLR: built-in meter, bright screen, inviting price.

Medium format · 120 (6×4.5) · 1995– · $$

A medium-format point-and-shoot: autofocus, auto-exposure and a very sharp fixed lens.

Is medium format worth it?

For portraits, landscape and prints, the tonality and resolution are a clear step up — if you accept the weight and cost per frame.

Which is the cheapest way to start?

A Yashica Mat-124G or a Bronica SQ-A kit. The RB67 is also remarkable value, but very heavy.

What about scanning?

Budget for 120 scanning; many labs charge more than for 35mm.